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I got a letter this week from a Vietnam veteran who has read and watched the many recent news reports alleging negligence and cover-ups at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Phoenix and he is very upset about it.

But not in a way I expected.

He wants the newspaper to ease up a little on the coverage.

Really.

There are allegations that as many as 40 vets died awaiting medical appointments at the hospital, and that there was a secret waiting list, although the national VA says it has found no record of this.

Three Arizona congressmen have called for the resignation or firing of VA hospital Director Sharon Helman and her top administrators. U.S. Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake have asked for Senate hearings. The VA's inspector general has begun an investigation.

All of this has greatly troubled the local vet, named Terry.

Not only because it pointed to potential problems at the VA but because he believes news like this causes veterans who need help to avoid getting it.

He knows.

He was one of those veterans.

He wrote in part:

"Myself, like many veterans, Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan did not seek treatment at the VA for a number of reasons: red tape, bureaucracy, distrust, thinking you're strong enough to overcome any problems you may be having.

"Your (newspaper's) reporting has magnified this distrust and negative feelings toward the VA.

"Do you know what happens to soldiers, Marines and sailors when there is no place to turn? Check out the suicide statistics.

"Now my story: I was a serious alcohol and drug abuser for 36 years. I finally overdosed on alcohol and was hospitalized in intensive care for seven days. While I was in the hospital my younger sisters went down to the VA and got me enrolled in their 'Intensive Outpatient Co-occurring Treatment Program.' Co-occurring was my substance abuse, PTSD and depression… After completing the 12-week program I continued my recovery by attending aftercare one- to two-times weekly for approximately a year and a half. I have been clean and sober for over eight years I have a good job, good dog, good home and I can play golf, go fishing, camping and vacation anytime I want. That's what the VA did for me and thousands of veterans just like me."

I contacted Terry and spoke with him.

"I know that news people have a job to do but stuff like this can be terrible for some veterans," he said. "No one can predict how it is going to go for every patient who goes to the hospital, and I'm not saying some of them don't have a tough time, but the people I met at the VA were great. Really dedicated."

He worries that news articles about the VA's troubles will inhibit veterans and their families or frighten them away from seeking the help they need.

"When you're in the military you don't want to admit you need help and you'll use any excuse not to get it," Terry told me.

He had a suggestion, though. A small request.

"Try running stories like mine," he said. "I know it probably won't do much for your circulation or ratings but it might save one veteran's life."